Edgewood man charged with robbing, assaulting woman at gas station

BRYNA ZUMER, bzumer@theaegis.com

An Edgewood man was ordered held without bond after he allegedly assaulted and attempted to rob a woman at a gas station last week, according to charging documents.

Mark Christopher Ward, 46, of the 1800 block of Eloise Lane, allegedly came up to the victim at Shell gas station, in the 1800 block of Pulaski Highway in Edgewood, at about 8:15 a.m. on Sept. 17, according to the statement of charges.

The victim told a Maryland State Police trooper that she was putting air in her vehicle's tires when Ward allegedly came up and tapped her on the shoulder, asking for money, according to the statement of charges.

When she said she had no money and asked him to leave her alone, he allegedly said he was just released from jail in Jessup and needed money to get to Aberdeen, according to the statement of charges.

She again said she could not help him. He then allegedly abruptly took the air hose from her hand, prompting her to get in her car for protection, according to the statement of charges.

Ward allegedly then followed her to the car, shouting: "I will just throw you in your truck and take your money if you don't help me."

He also allegedly said he had a pistol that he would use "to get what I want," and then allegedly said: "You can't run, I have a gun."

He then allegedly stood in front of the victim's car, blocking her from leaving, according to the statement.

Retired Harford County District Court Judge John Dunnigan ordered Ward to continue to be held without bail during a bail review hearing Friday afternoon. Ward is being held at the Harford County Detention Center in Bel Air.